See Gov: Highlights of Durham County Board of Commissioners from May 12, 2025

County Manager Proposes Budget with Tax Increases

The board reviewed a proposed property tax increase, new education and public safety funding, and utility fee hikes as part of the county manager’s budget plan. A split vote approved a change to tree coverage rules in development agreements after a debate over affordable housing, environmental impacts, and city-county policy consistency. 31mins

Budget Education Fire & EMS Planning & Zoning Public Safety & Police

Was this helpful?

Original Meeting

Durham County Board of Commissioners on YouTube

Monday, May 12th, 2025

11842.0

Full Meeting on YouTube

Video Notes

Here is a recording of the Durham Board of County Commissioners Regular Session from Monday, May 12th, 2025. View an agenda at https://bit.ly/BOCCdco.

Alex Rosen

Durham, North Carolina

As the Executive Director of See Gov, I focus on how to best achieve our mission of expanding thoughtful and consistent participation in democracy. I develop See Gov's technology, work to grow our impact, and find ways to sustain our nonprofit. I live in Durham, NC and make highlight reels for Durham and other See Gov pilot communities.

View full bio

In This Video

Clerk Wallace announced several upcoming community events and opportunities, including a public safety meeting, community engagement sessions on the Unified Development Ordinance, a Memorial Day remembrance event, and the opening of tenant applications for a new property.
Chair Allam issued a proclamation recognizing May 2025 as Treatment Court Month in Durham County and highlighted the benefits and impact of treatment courts for individuals with substance use and mental health disorders.
Justices Services Director Parker thanked the board for supporting drug and mental health courts in Durham County after state funding was withdrawn, emphasizing their effectiveness in assisting individuals with addiction.
Chair Allam emphasized the broad positive impact of treatment courts on individuals, families, and the wider community, and advocated for the continuation and expansion of such programs.
County Manager Hager outlined priorities for maintaining fiscal stability, supporting public safety, and expanding educational and workforce opportunities, emphasizing the importance of long-term financial sustainability.
Manager Hager described recent challenges in budget forecasting due to lower-than-expected revenue collections, emphasizing the need to adjust spending growth to match projected revenues.
Manager Hager explained that while property tax revenue continued to grow, other major revenue sources declined, leading to a need for either a property tax rate increase, reduced expenditure growth, or both to balance the budget.
Manager Hager explained that following a 60% increase in property valuations and a revenue neutral tax rate adjustment, a 3.5 cent property tax rate increase was proposed to address service demands, education funding, and other budget needs.
Manager Hager explained that most fire districts and the RTP Special Park District requested property tax rate increases to address personnel, equipment, and development needs following the countywide revaluation.
Manager Hager reported that sales tax revenue, the county's second largest revenue source, experienced a significant slowdown in growth and is projected to decline, impacting budget planning for the upcoming fiscal year.
Manager Hager explained that slower revenue growth combined with spending adjustments could result in significant budget imbalances.
Manager Hager recommended increased funding for Durham Public Schools, employee merit pay, and benefits, while limiting new county positions by reallocating vacancies to address budget constraints.
Manager Hager detailed a recommended $10.3 million increase in funding for Durham Public Schools, highlighted per pupil funding growth, and acknowledged ongoing challenges with deferred maintenance and funding gaps.
Manager Hager stated an intention to work with Durham Public Schools leadership to identify funding for urgent needs ahead of a possible bond referendum.
Manager Hager highlighted continued support for Durham Technical Community College, including a 1.5% funding increase and $2.1 million allocated for Durham student scholarships from dedicated sales tax revenues.
Manager Hager recommended adding new law enforcement and EMS positions, as well as increased funding for the Sheriff's Logistics Division and inmate welfare, to address public safety needs driven by population growth.
Manager Hager explained that the Youth Home was entering its final expansion phase, requiring 8.5 additional full-time employees to keep juvenile offenders within the county.
Manager Hager recommended new positions across multiple departments, including Information Services and Technology, General Services, and community intervention, and announced the expansion of Project Build to serve younger at-risk youth, with staffing increases offset by reallocating vacant positions.
Manager Hager recommended a 12% increase in the sewer utility rate and a rise in the stormwater utility fee to fund major capital projects and comply with state water quality requirements.
Manager Hager announced that a public hearing on the proposed budget would be held on May 27th and shared that additional opportunities for resident feedback are available on the County's website.
Commissioner Jacobs urged residents to oppose the proposed elimination of SNAP benefits at the federal level and to contact their elected representatives.
Robin Schultze presented a proposed text amendment to the Unified Development Ordinance that would allow tree coverage requirements to be modified through statutory development agreements, subject to public hearings and governing body approval.
Nil Ghosh, representing Lincoln Ave. communities, spoke in support of a proposed text amendment to increase flexibility in development agreements, highlighting their use in facilitating projects with community benefits such as affordable housing.
Tammy Sawaya argued that developers already have an avenue to seek relief from tree coverage requirements through the Board of Adjustment and expressed concern that the proposed text amendment could encourage more urban sprawl.
Nil Ghosh explained that the Board was considering whether to allow developers to propose development agreements that could include adjustments to tree protection requirements.
Chair Allam and Robin Schultze discussed that development agreements involving adjustments to tree protections would most likely occur within city limits where utilities are available, and would be unlikely in rural areas without such infrastructure.
Commissioner Valentine raised concerns about the impact of development on waterways and infrastructure, questioned the adequacy of existing Board of Adjustment remedies, and discussed with Nil Ghosh the limited applicability of development agreements for affordable housing projects.
Commissioner Jacobs clarified that the Board was considering whether to approve a text amendment already adopted by the City Council, emphasizing the importance of maintaining consistent policies between the city and county.
The Board approved the motion by a 3-2 vote following a split decision.

Your Governments

Your governments list is empty.

Manage Your List

More from this government

Board Calls for Urgent Action to Save Medicaid and Head Start Funding

Durham County Focuses on Reentry, Child Abuse, and Arab American Heritage

Durham County Proclaims Fair Housing Month

Durham County Board of Commissioners

Nearby governments

Durham City Council

Durham Public Schools Board of Education

Wake County Board of Education

Alamance-Burlington Board of Education

Alamance County Board of Commissioners

Sign in succeeded.

window.reelId = "68233b7ec6aa6a8bcee24174";